Resting furniture, in particular sleeping or reclining furniture

ABSTRACT

A bed with a flexible supporting spring system without a frame. The flexible supporting spring system is supported by a supporting frame or directly by the bedstead. The flexible supporting spring system can be rolled and therefore can easily be transported. Above all, however, the flexible supporting spring system can be used for different beds and can be adapted individually to different sleeping cultures.

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the US PCT Chapter II National Phase ofPCT/EP2010/001264 having an International Filing Date of 2 Mar. 2010,which claims priority on German Patent Application No. 10 2009 011027.5, having a filing date of 2 Mar. 2009 and German Patent ApplicationNo. 10 2009 055 782.2 having a filing date of 25 Nov. 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to an item of resting furniture, in particular toan item of sleeping or reclining furniture with a mattress and asupporting spring system for the mattress and with a mattress, and asupporting spring system for a mattress, the supporting spring systemhaving transversely directed slats and bearing means assigned to theends of the slats.

2. Prior Art

Items of resting furniture, such as, in particular, items of sleeping orreclining furniture, substantially differ on account of differentsleeping cultures in different countries and continents. However,different items of resting furniture are also produced depending on use,namely, on the one hand, in homes, hotels and hospitals and, on theother hand, in the vehicle sector, particularly in trucks, caravans andon ships. On account of different sleeping habits and intended uses, theitems of resting furniture differ in terms of the construction thereof.

In the case of known items of resting furniture, what are referred to asslatted bases are used as the supporting spring system for mattresses.The slatted bases have transversely directed slats, in particular springslats, which are mounted on a rigid frame by resilient bearing means.The frame makes the supporting spring system bulky and difficult tohandle. The frame also requires, however, stands which are adaptedthereto.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the object of providing an item of restingfurniture, in particular an item of sleeping or reclining furniture,which is of modular construction and can be used individually.

An item of resting furniture for achieving this object is an item ofresting furniture, in particular an item of sleeping or recliningfurniture, with a mattress and a supporting spring system for themattress, characterized in that the supporting spring system is at leastpartially formed without a frame, and the supporting spring system isassigned a supporting means. Owing to the fact that the supportingspring system is at least partially formed without a frame, and isassigned a supporting means, the supporting spring system can easily behandled. It may be transported rolled up, for example. The supportingmeans assigned to the supporting spring system can be configuredindividually, thus enabling it to be able to be adapted to theparticular intended use and the respectively prevailing sleeping habits.The supporting means may be a separate component between the support andthe supporting spring system or under the supporting spring system. Inthis case, the supporting means serves not only to stabilize thesupporting spring system but also as an adapter for adapting thesupporting spring system to any supports, specifically also supportswhich are present. The supporting means may, however, also be formed bythe support itself, for example a bedstead.

The supporting spring system preferably has a plurality of transverselydirected slats, in particular spring slats, running at a distance fromand parallel to one another, resilient bearing means assigned toopposite ends of the slats, and flexible, preferably non-rigid, sidestrands, to which the bearing means can be fastened. A supporting springsystem of this type can be rolled up as a consequence of the non-rigid,flexible side strands. This makes it possible to transport and store thesupporting spring system in a simple and space-saving manner. For thispurpose, the side strands are preferably designed as flexible straps, ascables or as bands. The flexible, non-rigid side strands may optionallybe extensible such that the length of the supporting spring system canbe changed according to the requirements.

In a preferred refinement of the invention, each longitudinal side ofthe supporting spring system is assigned at least one side strand. Thebearing means are connected to the at least one side strand of eachlongitudinal side of the supporting spring system, the bearing meansbeing assigned to the same longitudinal side. The bearing means and theslats assigned thereto, in particular spring slats, are thus linked toone another on each side of the supporting spring system, the distancesof the bearing means from one another and therefore also the distancesof the slats running parallel to one another transversely with respectto the longitudinal direction of the item of resting furniture beingfixed by the side strands. As a result, the side strands serve for thepositioning of all of the bearing means. The bearing means are connectednondisplaceably to the holding strands, and therefore the bearing meansand the slats maintain their designated parallel distances from oneanother. Said connections are preferably of releasable design, thusenabling simple exchange of the bearing means, and also the number ofbearing means can be changed corresponding to the requirements if thedistance of the slats from one another should be changed because of alarger or smaller number of slats.

An advantageous development of the item of resting furniture makesprovision for designing at least some bearing means to be movable orcapable of vibrating per se. Bearing means of this type permit movementsor vibrations of the supporting spring system, in particular of theslats or spring slats thereof. The bearing means can be designed in sucha manner that they permit or bring about movements or vibrations in anydirection, specifically either in only a single, targeted direction orin a plurality of directions. It is preferably provided that thesupporting spring system and the slats or spring slats execute movementsand/or vibrations only in one direction. Said single direction ofmovement then runs in particular in the longitudinal direction of theslats or spring slats. As a result, the person lying on the supportingspring system carries out transversely directed movements or vibrations.

A preferred development of the item of resting furniture makes provisionfor the side strands of the supporting spring system to be connected ateach of the opposite ends thereof by a respective, rigid transversestrut, for example a rod, a batten, a board or an angular profile. As aresult, the side strands are held together at opposite ends of theslats, and in particular are held at a distance. The rigid transversestrands facilitate the coiling up of the supporting spring system andstabilize the latter in the coiled-up state.

Furthermore, it can optionally be provided to design the supportingmeans as a preferably rigid frame which stabilizes the flexiblesupporting spring system in the use state, and preferably holds saidsystem in a plane defined by the frame. The supporting means preferablyhas supports for at least partial regions of the side strands. Saidsupports ensure that the side strands rest firmly on the supportingmeans, and the supporting means provide the supporting spring systemwith stability, which known supporting spring systems obtain from theframes fixedly connected thereto. The supporting means can be designedarbitrarily, thus enabling adaptations to different intended uses of thesupporting spring system and to different sleeping cultures. Thesupporting means can be formed from individual parts, in particularlongitudinal members and cross members, from which the rigid frame isformed by means of releasable connections. The releasability of theconnections permits a space-saving folding up of the supporting means,for example for transport of same.

An advantageous refinement of the invention makes provision for thesupporting means to be formed by fixed longitudinal members with thesupports for the side strands, and for the longitudinal members to beconnectable, preferably releasably, to the transverse struts provided atthe ends of the supporting spring system, in order to form a stableframe for supporting the supporting spring system, in particular theside strands thereof. Said supporting means has a simple construction,namely requires only two additional longitudinal members which, togetherwith the transverse struts of the supporting spring system, produce thesupporting means in the form of a stable frame.

An alternative refinement of the invention makes provision for assigningthe supporting means to the support for the supporting spring system.The supporting means is preferably formed by the support, and thereforethe supporting means of the integrated part of the support, andtherefore the support at the same time forms the supporting means. Thisrefinement of the invention is appropriate especially if the inventionis realized together with an existing support which is designed in sucha manner that it is suitable for carrying or supporting the supportingstrand system, in particular the flexible side strands. In this case,the support may be an existing bed or an existing divan, in particularunder-parts thereof.

A further item of resting furniture for achieving the object mentionedat the beginning, wherein this may also involve a preferred developmentof the previously described resting divan, is an item of restingfurniture, in particular an item of sleeping and reclining furniture,with a mattress, and a supporting spring system for a mattress, thesupporting spring system having transversely directed slats and bearingmeans assigned to the ends of the slats, characterized in thatintermediate pieces are provided for connecting the slats to the bearingmeans. The intermediate pieces provided according thereto for connectingthe slats, in particular the ends thereof, to the bearing means make itpossible to connect slats of different cross sections to the bearingmeans. As an alternative or in addition, the intermediate pieces canalso serve to change the height of the slats above the bearing means.Overall, the intermediate pieces serve to form an adapter in order to beable to connect the slats to the bearing means individually, preferablyreleasably.

The intermediate pieces are assigned to the ends of the slats,specifically preferably in such a manner that the intermediate piecesare placed onto the ends of the slats or are inserted into the ends ofthe hollow slats. A form-fitting connection between the slats and theintermediate pieces is thus produced. The intermediate pieces can bedesigned in such a manner that they can be connected to the ends ofslats having different cross sections. However, it is also conceivableto use different, respectively matching intermediate pieces fordifferent slats. As a consequence of the intermediate pieces, it ispossible to connect different slats in a form-fitting manner to one andthe same bearing means.

In a preferred refinement of the intermediate pieces, it is provided toconnect the latter releasably to the bearing means, specificallypreferably by inserting, latching or the like. Said releasableconnections make it possible to exchange the bearing means or else theslats in order to change the characteristics of the supporting springsystem, namely to adapt said characteristics individually to therequirements, in particular to different sleeping cultures. It isprovided according to a further preferred refinement of the intermediatepieces to design the latter in such a manner that they connect the endsof the slats at different height levels to the bearing bodies. By meansof the selection of corresponding intermediate pieces, the height levelof the slats in relation to the bearing bodies can thus be changedindividually. It is also conceivable to design the intermediate piecesin such a manner that they are elastic or resilient. As a result, theelastic characteristics of the supporting spring system can be changedwith the intermediate pieces.

One possible development of the invention consists in designing at leastsome intermediate pieces and/or bearing means in such a manner that theypermit movements or vibrations of the slats, in particular spring slats.This may involve uniaxial or multiaxial movements or vibrations. Atleast some bearing means and/or intermediate pieces are preferablydesigned in such a manner that they permit movements or vibrations ofthe slats or spring slats in the longitudinal direction, the personresting on the supporting spring system being moved in the transversedirection. The described development of the invention increases thecomfort of the item of resting furniture.

A preferred development of the item of resting furniture makes provisionfor at least some bearing means to be assigned devices for changing thespring characteristics thereof. Said devices preferably serve to changethe spring characteristics of the bearing means which are to resilientlysupport the ends of the slats. As a result, the elasticity behavior ofthe supporting spring system can be changed individually for adaptationto the desired sleeping and reclining habits. It is conceivable todesign the devices in such a manner that the spring characteristics ofthe bearing means can be changed or else automatically. In addition, itis possible to connect the devices releasably to selected bearing means.The devices can be assigned as a result specifically to those bearingmeans, the spring characteristics of which are intended to be changed.

According to a further refinement of the invention, it is conceivablefor at least some bearing means to be assigned actuators for changingthe spring characteristics of said bearing means and/or for the periodicupward and downward moving of the spring means. Actuators of this typecan serve to stimulate the person on the resting furniture. Theactuators make it possible to provide resting furniture serving fortherapeutic purposes.

Further advantageous refinements of the item of resting furniture relateto additional devices for massage and/or stimulation functions, forproducing sound waves or light beams. It is also conceivable for themattress to be assigned sensors for measuring vital parameters of theperson on the mattress and also air conditioning systems.

In addition, it is conceivable to provide the item of resting furniturewith what are referred to as functional modules. These may involveadditional modules which are preferably arranged between the supportingmeans and the supporting spring system or else are integrated in thesupporting means and/or the supporting spring system. Said functionalmodules may be devices for adjusting the item of resting furniture, forexample for changing the inclination of a head part and/or foot part.The joints required for this purpose may be an item of the functionalmodule. However, they may also be integrated in the supporting means.This enables the item of resting furniture to be individually configuredand, in particular, also to automate adjustments of the supportingspring system. It is thus also possible to retrofit existing restingfurniture with a functional module or with individual functionalelements thereof in order thereby to adapt the item of resting furnitureto changing requirements or to develop said item of resting furniture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in moredetail below with reference to the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a bed.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a supporting spring system of the bedof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the supporting spring system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a detail of a mounting of a springslat of the supporting spring system of FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of another exemplary embodimentanalogous to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodimentanalogous to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective exploded illustration of the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective illustration according to a second exemplaryembodiment of the invention analogous to FIGS. 4 to 7.

FIG. 9 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the invention in aperspective detail analogous to FIGS. 4 to 8.

FIG. 10 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention in aperspective illustration.

FIG. 11 shows a bearing means of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10 ina view XI.

FIG. 12 shows a longitudinal section XII-XII through the bearing meansof FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention in aperspective illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is explained below with reference to an item of sleepingfurniture, namely a bed 10 which is illustrated in FIG. 1.

The bed 10 which is shown in an exploded illustration in FIG. 1 has(from bottom to top) a bedstead 11, a supporting means in the form of asupporting frame 12, a supporting spring system 13 and a mattress 14.The bedstead 11 and the mattress 14 are designed in a customary manner,i.e. do not differ from the prior art.

The supporting spring system 13 is designed in a particular manneraccording to the invention, said supporting spring system, in contrastto known supporting spring systems which have a rigid frame, beingwithout a frame and therefore being flexible. The supporting frame 12which, according to the invention, is assigned to the supporting springsystem 13, serves to stabilize the latter. The supporting spring system13 and the supporting frame 12 together form a stable unit by thesupporting frame 12 serving as a support for the flexible supportingspring system 13 and holding the latter in a plane. While the supportingframe 12 shown here runs rectilinearly in the longitudinal direction 15of the bed 10, the invention also comprises modifications (not shown)with a nonrectilinear profile of the supporting frame 12 in thelongitudinal direction 15, as a result of which the supporting springsystem 13 is fixed on the supporting frame 12 in the manner followingsaid nonrectilinear profile. For example, in the case of recliningfurniture, the profile of the supporting frame 12 and of the supportingspring system 13, which is held by the latter, in the longitudinaldirection 15 of the bed 10 may be arched or undulating. It is alsoconceivable for the supporting frame 12 to run in a slightly obliquelyrising or dropping manner in the longitudinal direction 15 of the bed 10toward a head and/or foot end, or for the head and/or foot end to bepivotable.

The supporting spring system 13 has a plurality of slats 16 which runtransversely with respect to the longitudinal direction 15 of the bed 10and which may optionally be spring slats. The slats 16 which altogetherrun parallel to one another follow one another at preferably uniformdistances in the longitudinal direction 15 of the bed 10. In theexemplary embodiment shown, the supporting spring system 13 has elevenslats 16. These may be identical slats. However, it is also conceivableto form the supporting spring system 13 from different slats, inparticular slats of different cross sections and degrees of rigidity.The number of slats 16 may also be arbitrary, and is namely notrestricted to the exemplary embodiment shown with eleven slats 16.

In the supporting spring system 13 shown here, a plurality ofspaced-apart spring bodies 17 are arranged on each slat 16. Thedistances between adjacent spring bodies 17 are preferably identical. Inthe case of the supporting spring system 13 which is shown, all of thespring bodies 17 on each slat 16 are also of identical design. However,it is also conceivable to assign different spring bodies 17 to differentslats 16 or else to provide individual slats 16 with different springbodies 17. It is also conceivable not to provide the slats 16 of thesupporting spring system 13 with any spring bodies 17. The lower side ofthe mattress 14 then rests directly on the slats 16. In the case of thesupporting spring system 13 shown with spring bodies 17 on all of theslats 16, the lower side of the mattress rests on support plates 18 ofthe spring bodies 17.

Each slat 16 is connected at the opposite ends 19 thereof to a bearingmeans 21 by means of an intermediate piece 20. The bearing means 21 ofall the slats 16 are linked on each of the opposite longitudinal sides22 of the supporting spring system 13 to a side strand 23. The ends 24of the side strands 23 on opposite longitudinal sides 22 of thesupporting spring system 13 are connected by rigid transverse struts 25running transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction 15 ofthe bed 10. The supporting spring system 13 therefore has two paralleltransverse struts 25, specifically a transverse strut 25 at the head endand a second transverse strut 25 at the foot end of the bed 10. Thetransverse struts 25 hold the flexible strands 23 at a distance. Inspite of the flexible side strands 23, as a result of the bearing means21 which are fixed nondisplaceably on the side strands 23 the slats 16are held in their parallel alignment with respect to one another. As aresult of the flexible design of the side strands 23, the supportingspring system 13 can be folded up, in particular can be rolled,specifically about just one axis which runs parallel to the slats 16 andto the transverse struts 25.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the side strands 23 are formed fromflat straps. The flat sides of the straps of both side strands 23 lie ina horizontal plane in the case of the planar supporting spring system 13shown here. By means of the formation of the side strands 23 fromstraps, the side strands 23 are non-rigid and therefore are unstable,i.e. highly flexible, in the longitudinal direction thereof. Instead ofthe straps, the side strands 23 may also be formed from one oroptionally more cables or bands. In the exemplary embodiment shown, thetransverse struts 25 for connecting the ends 24 of the parallel sidestrands 23 on each longitudinal side 22 of the supporting spring system13 are designed as upright slats or boards. These are substantiallyrigid in contrast to the side strands 23.

The bearing means 21 are designed in the manner of springs, specificallyin such a manner that they bear the slats 16 in an elastically compliantmanner. In the case of the bed 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, all ofthe bearing means 21 are of identical design, specifically in the manneras illustrated in detail in FIG. 4. According thereto, each bearingmeans 21 essentially has an oval ring 26, the longer axis of which runsparallel to the longitudinal direction 15 of the bed 10, i.e. lies onthe longitudinal sides 22 of the supporting spring system 13. A lockingmeans 27 which engages around the particular side strand in the crosssection 23 is arranged centrally on the lower half of the ring 26. Thelocking means 27 has two halves, specifically an upper half 28, whichforms a central part of the lower section of the ring 26, and a lowerhalf 29. The lower half 29 is connected to the upper half 28 via a pivotaxis which forms a hinge. The pivot axis, which is not shown in thefigures, runs parallel to an inner longitudinal edge of the side strand23 to which the bearing means 21 is fastened. The pivotable lower half29 of the locking means 27 can be connected releasably to the upper half28 by a closure 30. The closure 30 is designed as a releasable latchingclosure. The locking means 27, specifically either the upper half 28 orthe lower half 29 thereof, is provided with a projection (not shown inthe figures) which engages in a corresponding depression, preferably acircular aperture 31, in the side strand 23. When the locking means 27is closed, the locking means 27, which surrounds the side strand 23, isfixed as a result in a form-fitting manner on the side strand 23. As aresult, the bearing means 21 cannot be displaced on the correspondingside strand 23 in the longitudinal direction 15 of the bed 10. The sidestrands 23 have a number of apertures 31 corresponding to the number ofbearing means 21 to be fastened to the side strand 23. The distances ofthe apertures 31 along the side strands 23 correspond here to thedesired distances of the bearing means 21 in the longitudinal direction15 of the bed 10. The positioning of the apertures 31 on both oppositeside strands 23 is identical, therefore all of the bearing means 21 onopposite longitudinal sides 22 of the supporting spring system 13 lieopposite one another and all of the slats 16 run parallel to oneanother. However, it is also conceivable to provide the side strands 23with a larger number of apertures 31 as bearing means 21 assigned to theparticular side strand 23. There is thus the possibility of fixing thebearing means 21 nondisplaceably at different selected points of theside strands 23.

Two parallel, elongate claws 62 are provided on the upper half 28 of thelocking means 27. The claws 62, which run in the longitudinal directionof the slats 16, serve to fasten a stop damper 63 to the lower innerside of the ring 26. For this purpose, the stop damper 63, which isformed from a soft plastic or rubber, is held on the bearing means 21 bybeing pushed between the claws 62.

A bearing shell 32 for the intermediate piece 20 at an end of a slat 16is arranged centrally on the ring 26 of the bearing means 21. Thebearing shell 32 is designed as a half arch which is open at the top.The free ends thereof which bound the open side of the bearing shell 32are provided with elongate latching projections 33. The latchingprojections 33 which are integrally formed on the ends of the bearingshell 32 run parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction ofthat slat 16 to which the bearing means 21 is assigned.

The entire bearing means 21, namely the ring 26, the locking means 27with the two halves 28 and 29, and the bearing shell 32 are produced asa single piece from plastic. In this case, the wall thickness of thering 26 is dimensioned in such a manner that, upon loading of theparticular slat 16, the ring 26 can be deformed elastically, namely canbe substantially compressed in a vertical direction. The bearing means21 therefore permit a vertical upward and downward movement of the ends19 of the slats 16. The bearing shells 32 are in this case moved upwardand downward on a vertical path. The maximum downward movement of theparticular slat 16 and therefore the maximum spring deflection of thebearing means 21 is limited by the stop damper 63.

The intermediate piece 20 is designed in such a manner that it can bepushed onto an end 19 of the particular slat 16. The intermediate piece20 is fixed on the end 19 of the particular slat 16 by latching means(not shown in the figures). The lower side of the intermediate piece 20has two latching projections 34 running in the longitudinal direction ofthe particular slat 16. The elongate latching projections 34 which runparallel to one another correspond to the latching projections 33 on thebearing shell 32 of the bearing means 21 in such a manner that grooves35 can be pushed over the latching projections 34 of the bearing shell32 into the latching projections 33 of the intermediate piece 20. Thisbrings about a form-fitting connection between the intermediate piece 20and the bearing means 21 when the intermediate piece 20 is pushed intothe bearing shell 32 of the bearing means 21 by means of a movement inthe longitudinal direction of the slat 16. The connection of theintermediate piece 20 in the bearing shell 32 is secured by form-fittinglatches (not shown) which, when the intermediate piece 20 is pushedcompletely into the bearing shell 23, secure the connection between thebearing shell 32 and the intermediate piece 20. However, said securingis designed in such a manner that the connection of the intermediatepiece 20 to the bearing shell 32 of the bearing means 21 can bereleased.

The intermediate piece 20 is designed in such a manner that itcorresponds to the cross section of the particular slat 16 and can bepushed in an accurately fitting manner onto the end 19 of the slat 16.Matching intermediate pieces 20 are provided for each cross section of aslat 16. The intermediate pieces 20 which are adapted to different crosssections of the slats 16 each have latching projections 34 and elongategrooves 35 which are located thereabove and have identical dimensionsand distances such that different intermediate pieces 20 can beconnected to the bearing shells 32 of identical bearing means 21. Slats16 of different cross sections can thus be connected to the identicalbearing means 21 by the use of corresponding intermediate pieces 20. Itis also possible to design the intermediate pieces so as to differ inheight. The height of the slats 16 in relation to the bearing means 20can thus be changed individually.

The previously described flexible supporting spring system 13 isstabilized by the supporting frame 12. In the exemplary embodimentshown, the supporting frame 12 has two parallel longitudinal profiles 36and two parallel transverse profiles 37. The longitudinal profiles 36and the transverse profiles 37 have an L-shaped cross section with avertical limb 38 and a horizontal limb 39 at the lower end of thevertical limb 38. The horizontal limbs 39 of the longitudinal profiles36 and of the transverse profiles 37 lie in a common horizontal plane ofthe supporting frame 12. The flexible side strands 23 of the supportingspring system 13 rest on the horizontal limbs 39 of the longitudinalprofiles 36. The horizontal limbs 39 of the supporting frame 12therefore serve as a means of supporting the side strands 23 of thesupporting spring system 13 and hold said side strands in the horizontalplane of the supporting frame 12. The transverse struts 25 at the endsof the supporting spring system 13 rest on the horizontal limbs 39 ofthe transverse profiles 37. Provision is preferably made for connecting,for example for screwing, the transverse struts 25 at opposite end sidesof the supporting spring system 14 to the transverse profiles 37 of thesupporting frame 12. As a result, the supporting spring system 13 isheld in the supporting frame 12 in a manner preferably tensioned in thelongitudinal direction 15 such that the supporting spring system 13cannot be displaced on the horizontal limbs 39 of the longitudinalprofiles 36 as a consequence of the flexible side strands 23. By meansof an elastic design of the side strands 23 in a manner similar to arubber band, the supporting spring system 13 can be extended in thelongitudinal direction 15 for adaptation to the length of the particularsupporting frame 12.

The supporting spring system 13 which is held by the supporting frame 12and is fastened thereto is placed onto the bedstead 11 or is insertedinto the bedstead 11 as a unit, and therefore the bedstead 11 surroundsthe supporting frame 12 and the supporting spring system 13 which isheld and supported by the latter.

An alternative exemplary embodiment (not shown) of the bed 10 isconceivable, in which, instead of the supporting frame 12, use is madeonly of two longitudinal profiles 36 which are connected to the endsides of the board-like transverse struts 25, which run transverselywith respect thereto, at the opposite ends of the supporting springsystem 13. The longitudinal profiles and the transverse struts 25 whichare connected thereto then form a stable frame, wherein the horizontallimbs 39 of the longitudinal profiles 36 support the flexible sidestrands 23.

A further refinement is conceivable, in which the bedstead 11 serves asa base for the flexible supporting spring system 13, i.e. the supportingframe 12 and the longitudinal profiles 36 are dispensed with. Theflexible side strands 23 then rest on parts of the bedstead 11, inparticular on an upper edge thereof. The transverse struts 25 at theends of the supporting spring system 13 are connected to the bedstead 11for the stretched holding of the supporting spring system 13. In thisexemplary embodiment, the bedstead 11 serves as a support for theflexible side strands 23 and for the stretched fixing of the supportingspring system 13 by connecting the transverse struts 25 of thesupporting spring system 13 to the bedstead 11.

FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the supporting springsystem 13 which differs with regard to the supporting spring system 13shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 only by a partially different configuration ofthe bearing means 40. Those parts of the bearing means 40 whichcorrespond to the bearing means 21 are provided with the same referencenumbers. In this respect, reference is made to the preceding descriptionof the bearing means 21 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

The supporting spring system 13 may have only the bearing means 40.However, it is also conceivable for the supporting spring system 13 tohave both bearing means 21 and bearing means 40.

The bearing means 40 differs from the bearing means 21 in that a smalleroval ring 41 is arranged in the oval ring 26. The longitudinal centralaxes of both rings 26 and 41, which axes run parallel to thelongitudinal direction of the slats 16 assigned to the bearing means 40,lie on each other. Accordingly, the smaller ring 41 is insertedconcentrically in the larger ring 26. The smaller ring 41 is connectedreleasably to the larger ring 26, specifically to the locking means 27thereof. For this purpose, a plate-like foot is arranged on the lowerside of the ring 41, said foot being held on the locking means 27 in aform-fitting manner between two L-shaped, elongate claws 43. By the foot42 of the ring 41 being pushed between the claws 43 in the longitudinaldirection of the slat 16, the ring 41 is connected to the ring 26 of thebearing means 40. Said releasable connection can be secured by similarlyreleasable latching means (not shown).

The spring characteristics of the bearing means 40 are influenced bymeans of the smaller ring 41 in the larger ring 26 of said bearingmeans. The bearing means 40 initially has soft spring characteristics,namely until the upper part of the larger ring 26 rests at the top onthe smaller, inner ring 41. For the further spring deflection of thebearing means 40, the two rings 26 and 41 have to be compressedtogether, as a result of which the bearing means 40 becomes harder withincreasing spring deflection. The spring characteristics can beinfluenced by the size ratio of the outer ring 26 and of the inner ring41 and by the wall thickness of the inner ring 41 which has a flat,rectangular cross section. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the wallthickness of the inner ring 41 is greater than that of the outer ring26. As a result, the inner ring 41 is harder than the outer ring 26. Theconsequence is that, when the outer ring 26 rests on the inner ring 41,the rigidity of the bearing means 40 increases significantly.

FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, whichdiffers from the exemplary embodiments previously described by means ofa differently designed bearing means 44. In principle, the bearing means44 is designed as per the bearing means 21. Therefore, the samereference numbers are again used for identical parts.

The bearing means 44 has a smaller oval stop piece 45 in the interior ofthe ring 26. The longitudinal central axis of the stop piece 45 lies onthe longitudinal central axis of the ring 26. The stop piece 45 has twopockets 46, 47 lying one above the other. The pockets 46, 47 are ofidentical design, i.e. in the exemplary embodiment shown, have anapproximately oval cross section with a horizontal elongate axis.

The lower side of the stop piece 45 has a foot 48 which is designed in amanner corresponding to two parallel claws 49 on the locking means 27 ofthe bearing means 44 and can be pushed between the claws 49 in thelongitudinal direction of the slat 16. The connection of the stop piece45 to the ring 26 of the bearing means 44 is designed in principle inthe same way as for the bearing means 40.

A filler piece 50, 51 can be pushed into each pocket 46, 47,specifically in the longitudinal direction of the slat 16. The hardnessof the stop piece 45, which is formed from flexible material, can bechanged by the filler pieces 50, 51. If the filler pieces 50, 51 are notinserted into the pockets 46, 47, the stop piece 45 is relatively soft.The hardness of the stop piece 45 can be increased by a filler piece 50or 51 in the corresponding pocket 46, 47. Even greater hardness of thestop piece 45 is achieved if filler pieces 50, 51 are inserted into bothpockets 46, 47. Accordingly, the flexibility of the bearing means 44 canbe adapted in a manner corresponding to the requirements. It is alsoconceivable to rotate the filler pieces 50, 51 in the pockets 46 and 47,thus increasing the height of the stop piece 45 until the latter bearson the upper side of the unloaded ring 26. In this case, the ring 26 isalready supported during the initial spring deflection of the stop piece45, and therefore the hardness of the bearing means 44 is increased fromthe beginning.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which againdiffers from the preceding exemplary embodiments by means of adifferently designed bearing means 52. Said bearing means 52 correspondsin principle to the bearing means 21 and 44, and therefore the samereference numbers are again used for identical parts.

In the case of the bearing means 52, a flexible stop piece 53 isprovided in the outer ring 26. The stop piece 53 has a ring which issubstantially cylindrical in the unloaded state and has a lower foot 54which corresponds to two parallel claws 55 on the closure 30 of the ring26 such that the stop piece 53 can be fixed by the foot 54 in aform-fitting manner between the claws 55 by being pushed into the outerring 26. This results in a releasable connection of the stop piece 53 tothe locking means 27 of the outer ring 26 of the bearing means 52.

The stop piece 53 has just a single pocket 56 with two bulges 57 lyingone above the other and two bulges 57 lying next to each other. A fillerpiece 58 having a substantially oval cross section can be pushed intothe pocket 56. According to the illustration in FIG. 8, the filler piece58 can be inserted upright or transversely into the pocket 56. When thefiller piece 58 is inserted upright into the pocket 56, said fillerpiece lies in the bulges 57 lying one above the other. By contrast, thefiller piece 58, in a relative position in which it is inserted flatinto the pocket 56, lies with the ends in the bulges 57 which lie nextto each other. The flexible stop piece 53 obtains a smaller or a greaterdegree of elasticity depending on whether the filler piece 58 isinserted upright or horizontally into the pocket 56 of the stop piece53. Accordingly, the outer ring 26 comes to bear on the stop piece 53immediately or only after an initial spring deflection. Accordingly, thespring characteristics of the bearing means 52 can be changed by therelative arrangement of the filler piece 58 in the pocket 56 of the stoppiece 53, in order to confer harder or softer spring characteristics onthe supporting spring system 13.

FIG. 9 shows a bearing means 59 according to a further exemplaryembodiment of the invention. Said bearing means 59 also corresponds inprinciple to the bearing means 21, and therefore the same referencenumbers are used for identical parts.

The bearing means 59 has an elastically deformable bellows 60 in theouter ring 26. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the bellows 60 isarranged fixedly under the bearing shell 32 on the upper part of thering 26. However, it is also conceivable to provide the bellows 60 witha foot corresponding to the claws 61 on the locking means 27, andtherefore the foot can be connected releasably to the bearing means 59by being pushed between the claws 61.

The bellows 60 is designed in such a manner that it initially permitselastic deformation of the ring 26 without the bellows 60 being deformedin the process. The bellows 60 is deformed only after a certain springdeflection of the ring 26, as a result of which the rigidity of thebearing means 59 is increased.

Provision is preferably made to fill the bellows 60 with compressed airby means of a compressed air supply (not shown) and thereby to expandthe bellows 60, thus changing the spring characteristics thereof. Thebellows 60 can be expanded to such an extent that it bears on thelocking means 27 when the ring 26 is not loaded and therefore has aninfluence on the spring characteristics of the bearing means 59 from thebeginning. It is also conceivable to periodically inflate and to relaxthe bellows 60, as a result of which the particular slat 16 is movedupward and downward in an alternating manner by the bellows 60. Thesupporting spring system 13 can thereby serve to stimulate the personlying thereon.

Developments of the invention that are not shown in the figures makeprovision for assigning functional modules to the supporting springsystem and/or to the supporting means thereof, in particular to thesupporting frame 12. Said functional modules may be separate from thesupporting frame 12 or from another supporting means and from thesupporting spring system 13. However, it is also conceivable tointegrate the functional modules into the supporting means, for examplein the supporting frame 12 and/or the supporting spring system 13.

The functional modules involve, for example, at least one joint whichruns transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction 16 of thebed 10 and provides the supporting frame 12 with a pivotable head partand/or foot part.

However, it is especially conceivable to design the functional modulesas driven mechanisms for adjusting the supporting means, in particularthe supporting frame 12. Said drives may be, for example, electric motordrives which pivot the head part and/or the foot part of the bed 10. Thefunctional modules may also undertake other adjustments or movements inthe bed 10, in particular of the supporting frame 12. The supportingmeans are preferably designed in such a manner that they permit anarbitrary expansion with desired functional modules.

FIGS. 10 to 12 show an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which isdistinguished from the previously described exemplary embodiments by aspecial bearing means 64. Otherwise, the item of resting furniturecorresponds to the item of resting furniture shown in the previousfigures. In particular, as in the previously described exemplaryembodiments of the invention, the bearing means 64 are connected onopposite ends of the slats 16, preferably spring slats, to flexible sidestrands 23. This may occur, for example, by means of the locking means27 (not shown in FIGS. 10 to 12) as in the case of the bearing means 21.

The bearing means 64 has a base part which is of tubular design with across section which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is rectangular.The base part 65 is essentially dimensioned in such a manner that it isrigid. End sides of the tubular base part 65, the end sides runningtransversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the slats 16,are open.

A pendulum 66 is arranged in the tubular base part 65. The pendulum 66has two strip-shaped pendulum bodies 67 spaced apart from each other.The flat pendulum bodies 67 lie in a common plane which transverselyintersects the longitudinal axis of the particular slat 16 and runscentrally through the tubular base part 65, specifically centrallybetween the open end sides of the base part 65. The two pendulum bodies67 together form the single pendulum 66 by being arranged in a commonplane. The upper ends of the two pendulum bodies 67 are connected to thetubular base part 65 of the bearing means 64 by respective hinges. Inthe exemplary embodiment shown, the hinges are designed as film hinges68 for the integral connection of the pendulum bodies 67 to the basepart 65. The lower ends of the two pendulum bodies 67 are connected by ahorizontal bar 69. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the connection isalso undertaken by means of hinges, and specifically preferably again bymeans of film hinges 68. It is also conceivable to connect the lowerends of the pendulum bodies 67 to the bar 69 without hinges, i.e. not inan articulated manner.

A link 70 is provided between the pendulum bodies 67, the link lying inthe same common plane as the pendulum bodies 67 of the pendulum 66. Thelink 70 is connected integrally at the lower end, and specificallypreferably rigidly, to the center of the bar 69. The length of the link70 is dimensioned in such a manner that said link emerges from the basepart 65 through an aperture 71 in the upper horizontal wall of the basepart 65 and protrudes upward in relation thereto. The upper end of thelink 70 is connected to an intermediate piece 72. The intermediate piece72 is pushed as an end piece on one end of the slat 16 and is connectedto the latter preferably in a latching manner. The upper end of the link70 can be connected integrally and rigidly to the lower wall of theintermediate piece 72. It is also conceivable to connect an upper freeend of the link 70 to the intermediate piece 72 in a latching manner oroptionally in an articulated manner, as a result of which the bearingmeans 64 and the intermediate piece 72 are formed as two parts.

A lower, horizontal wall of the rectangular base part 65 of the bearingmeans 64 is likewise provided with an aperture 73. Said aperture 73serves to receive a locking means with which the bearing means 64 isfastened, preferably in a latching manner, to the particular side strand23. The locking means (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 12) can be fastened inthe aperture 73 in a latching manner.

As a result of the arrangement of the two pendulum bodies 67 in a planelying between the open end sides of the base part 65, the bearing means64 shown here permits vibrations, in particular pendulum movements, ofthe slat 16 in the longitudinal direction thereof. As a result, a personlying on the bed or on another item of resting furniture is moved to andfro with a transversely directed pendulum action. Said pendulum movementis made possible by a free movement of the link 70 extending through theaperture 71. For this purpose, the aperture 71 is dimensioned in such amanner that the link 70 can move freely therein. If required, theaperture 71 can also serve to limit the pendulum movements or swingingmovements of the slat 16. The aperture 71 is then dimensioned in such amanner that it keeps pendulum movements of the slat 16 relative to afixed base part 65 of the bearing means 63 within predetermined limits,at least in the longitudinal direction of the slat.

In a departure from the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, itis also conceivable to provide the bearing means 64 with a plurality ofpendulums 66 connected in parallel. The two pendulum bodies 67 of eachpendulum 66 then lie in another plane, wherein said planes run parallelto one another at a small distance. If two parallel pendulums 66 areprovided, said pendulums together form a parallelogram which leads tothe link 70 connected to the pendulum 66 not participating in thedeflection of the pendulum bodies 67, and therefore the link 70 alwaysmaintains its preferably vertical alignment.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which differsfrom that of FIGS. 10 to 12 only in that there is an additional elasticspring means 74 between the bearing means 64 and the intermediate piece72. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the spring means 74 is designedas an elliptical ring with end sides open on both sides. The open endsides of the ring lie in vertical planes running transversely withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the slat 16. The shorter axis of theelectric spring means 74 is directed vertically while the larger axisruns horizontally.

The link 70 of the bearing means 64 is fastened integrally to the lowerside of the elliptical spring means 74. However, it is also conceivableto separate the link 70 from the spring means 74 and to connect saidlink, preferably in a latching manner, by suitable connecting means. Onthe upper side, the spring means 74 has a bearing shell 75 with oppositelatching projections 76. The bearing shell 75 and the latchingprojections 76 serve for the releasable, clip-like connection of thespring means 74 to the intermediate piece 72 on the particular end ofthe spring slat 16.

The bearing means of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 10 to 13 ispreferably formed as a single piece from plastic. In this case, theindividual components of the bearing means 64 are dimensioned in such amanner that they are substantially rigid. Only in the region of the filmhinges 68 is a sufficient degree of elasticity provided, in order topermit a pendulum movement of the pendulum body 67. In the exemplaryembodiment of FIGS. 10 to 12, the intermediate piece 72 can also beconnected integrally to the link 70 of the bearing means 64 although aseparate configuration is also conceivable. In the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 13, the bearing means 64 and the elastic spring means 67 canalso be connected integrally to each other. The desired elasticity ofthe spring means 74, in particular only in the vertical direction, isproduced by appropriate dimensioning of the wall thickness of the springmeans 74.

A further alternative exemplary embodiment of the invention isconceivable, in which at least one pendulum 66 is assigned to the springmeans 74 or to the spring means 74 and the bearing means 64.

The different bearing means 21, 40, 44, 52, 59 and 64 described abovecan be assigned to the supporting spring system 13 in an arbitrarycombination. It is also conceivable to form the supporting spring system13 from identical bearing means 21, 40, 44, 52, 59 or 64.

The invention is suitable not only for beds 10 but also for otherresting furniture, in particular reclining furniture, sleepingfurniture, but also for seating furniture.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 Bed-   11 Bedstead-   12 Supporting frame-   13 Supporting spring system-   14 Mattress-   15 Longitudinal direction-   16 Slat-   17 Spring body-   18 Support plate-   19 End-   20 Intermediate piece-   21 Bearing means-   22 Longitudinal side-   23 Side strand-   24 End-   25 Transverse strut-   26 Ring-   27 Locking means-   28 Upper half-   29 Lower half-   30 Closure-   31 Aperture-   32 Bearing shell-   33 Latching projection-   34 Latching projection-   35 Groove-   36 Longitudinal profile-   37 Transverse profile-   38 Vertical limb-   39 Horizontal limb-   40 Bearing means-   41 Ring-   42 Foot-   43 Claw-   44 Bearing means-   45 Stop piece-   46 Pocket-   47 Pocket-   48 Foot-   49 Claw-   50 Filler piece-   51 Filler piece-   52 Bearing means-   53 Stop piece-   54 Foot-   55 Claw-   56 Pocket-   57 Bulge-   58 Filler piece-   59 Bearing means-   60 Bellows-   61 Claw-   62 Claw-   63 Stop damper-   64 Bearing means-   65 Base part-   66 Pendulum-   67 Pendulum body-   68 Film hinge-   69 Bar-   70 Link-   71 Aperture-   72 Intermediate piece-   73 Aperture-   74 Spring means-   75 Bearing shell-   76 Latching projection

1. An item of resting furniture, in particular an item of sleeping orreclining furniture, comprising: a mattress (14); and a supportingspring system (13) for the mattress (14), wherein the supporting springsystem (13) is at least partially formed without a frame, and thesupporting spring system (13) is assigned a supporting means.
 2. Theitem of resting furniture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supportingspring system (13) comprises: transversely directed slats (16); bearingmeans (21, 40, 44, 52, 59, 64) assigned to opposite ends (24) of theslats (16); and flexible, non-rigid side strands (23) for the bearingmeans (21, 40, 44, 52, 59, 64).
 3. The item of resting furniture asclaimed in claim 2, wherein: the supporting spring system (13) furthercomprises longitudinal sides; each of the longitudinal sides (22) of thesupporting spring system (13) is assigned at least one of the sidestrands (23); the bearing means (21, 40, 44, 52, 59, 64) is releasablyconnected to the at least one side strand (23) of each of thelongitudinal sides (22), the bearing means being assigned to the same ofthe longitudinal sides (22).
 4. The item of resting furniture as claimedin claim 2, wherein the bearing means (21, 40, 44, 52, 59, 64) areconnected nondisplaceably, preferably in a form-fitting manner, to theside strands (23).
 5. The item of resting furniture as claimed in claim2, wherein at least some of the bearing means (64) are movable and/orcapable of vibrating per se, in such a manner that the bearing means(64) permit movements and/or vibrations of the supporting spring system(13).
 6. The item of resting furniture as claimed in claim 2, whereinthe side strands (23) are flexible straps, cables and/or bands.
 7. Theitem of resting furniture as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sidestrands (23) comprises opposite ends and are connected at each of theopposite ends a respective, rigid transverse strut (25).
 8. The item ofresting furniture as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the supporting meansis designed as a supporting frame (12), which comprises supports for atleast partial regions of the side strands (23); and/or the supportingmeans is assigned to a furniture stand, and the supporting means ispreferably formed by the furniture stand itself.
 9. The item of restingfurniture as claimed in claim 7, wherein the supporting means is formedby fixed longitudinal profiles (36) having supporting surfaces for atleast partial regions of the side strands (23), and the longitudinalprofiles (36) are connected fixedly and releasably to the transversestruts (25), in order to form a frame for supporting the side strands(23) of the supporting spring system (13).
 10. An item of restingfurniture, in particular an item of sleeping and reclining furniture,comprising: a mattress (14); a supporting spring system (13) for themattress (14), the supporting spring system having transversely directedslats (16) and bearing means (21, 40, 44, 52, 59, 64) assigned to ends(19) of the slats (16); and intermediate pieces (20, 72) for connectingthe slats (16) to the bearing means (21, 40, 44, 52, 59, 64).
 11. Theitem of resting furniture as claimed in claim 10, wherein theintermediate pieces (20, 72) are assigned to the ends (24) of the slats(16), and the intermediate pieces (20, 72) are placed onto the ends (24)of the slats (16) or are inserted into the ends (24) of the slats (16).12. The item of resting furniture as claimed in claim 10, wherein theintermediate pieces (20, 72) are connected releasably to the bearingmeans (21, 40, 44, 52, 59, 64), by inserting, latching or the like. 13.The item of resting furniture as claimed in claim 10, wherein: theintermediate pieces (20, 72) connect the ends (24) of the slats (16) tothe bearing means (21, 40, 44, 52, 59, 64) at different heights inrelation to the bearing means (21, 40, 44, 52, 59, 64); and/or theintermediate pieces (20, 72) are of resilient or elastic design.
 14. Theitem of resting furniture as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least someof the bearing means (40, 44, 52, 59, 64) are assigned devices forchanging the spring characteristics of the bearing means (40, 44, 52,59, 64), and the devices are connected releasably to selected ones ofthe bearing means (40, 44, 52, 59, 64).
 15. The item of restingfurniture as claimed in claim 10, further comprising actuators, wherein:the actuators are elastic bellows, the shape of which can be variedpneumatically; at least some of the bearing means (59) are assigned theactuators for changing spring characteristics of the bearing means (59)and/or for periodic upward and downward movement of the bearing means(59).
 16. The item of resting furniture as claimed in claim 10, whereinat least some of the intermediate pieces (72) and/or some of the bearingmeans (64) are designed to permit movements and/or vibrations of theslats (16) in longitudinal directions of the slats (16).
 17. The item ofresting furniture as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least some of thebearing means (64) and/or some of the intermediate pieces (72) areassigned at least one pendulum (66).